Short Takes: Petco Park hotel plans scrapped, will be revived

SAN DIEGO:
Padres owner John Moores' development company is terminating plans for a massive hotel next to Petco Park – but for procedural reasons.

JMI Realty has asked San Diego's downtown redevelopment officials to scrap negotiations for a 1,900-room hotel at Ballpark Village, according to materials released Wednesday in preparation for a Centre City Development Corp. meeting next week.

However, JMI spokesman Steve Peace said it's just a legal maneuver to avoid future problems due to a possible conflict of interest that arose this summer.

JMI's partner in the Ballpark Village development is Lennar Corp., which had a business relationship with former CCDC President Nancy Graham. Graham resigned this summer and is facing conflict-of-interest charges.

Peace said Moores' company wants to resubmit the hotel proposal in February. It may have fewer rooms than originally envisioned, Peace said, adding, “it's going to be a big hotel under any circumstances.” –J.S.

Dense-fog advisory
to expire this morning

SAN DIEGO: Dense fog blanketed the San Diego coast yesterday evening and impaired visibility for drivers along Interstate 5, the National Weather Service said.

Visibility was reduced to a quarter mile, though some areas had even less visibility, said Noel Isla, a National Weather Service meteorologist.

A dense-fog advisory is in effect until 10 a.m. today. The western inland valleys, such as Mission Valley, will also be affected, Isla said.

As of 9 p.m. yesterday, the fog had not caused any accidents on the I-5 or problems for flights at Lindbergh Field, according to the California Highway Patrol and an airport operations dispatcher. –A.M.

La Mesa contractor gets
seat with bond group

EL CAJON: A La Mesa contractor is the newest member of the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District's citizens bond-oversight committee.

The district's governing board in October appointed Ron Asbury to the 11-member oversight group that monitors spending of Proposition R bond money.

The group includes members with expertise in construction, procurement and finance as well as local representatives of business and taxpayers organizations.

Asbury has nearly three decades of experience in residential remodeling and reconstruction.

“I'm a hands-on contractor . . . with the ability to identify code imperfections or substandard workmanship,” Asbury said in his application. –L.S.

Input wanted on plan
for cruise ship terminal

SAN DIEGO: Those who have concerns about the proposed $28 million cruise ship terminal on Broadway Pier should submit them to the San Diego Unified Port District before Tuesday, when a hearing on the plan is scheduled before the Port Commission.

The hearing on the master plan amendment that would allow the terminal is scheduled for 2 p.m. at the port district headquarters, 3165 Pacific Highway. The port will consider whether the plan should be approved under a port permit that has already been endorsed by the California Coastal Commission.

The proposal has sparked some controversy because it was originally billed as a small temporary structure that has evolved into a large permanent facility that some critics say would block views of the water from Broadway.

Comments can be sent to the Land Use Planning Department, San Diego Unified Port District, P.O. Box 120488, San Diego, CA 92112. –R.W.P.

San Ysidro port of entry
to shut lanes for project

SAN YSIDRO: One to two vehicle lanes at the San Ysidro port of entry will be closed this month starting Monday as part of a construction project.

Radio-frequency identification technology hardware will be installed in all of the port of entry's 24 vehicle lanes. The hardware scans chips that are implanted in new U.S. travel documents and soon will be incorporated into border-crossing cards for commuters from Mexico.

During construction, only 22 to 23 lanes will be available for use. U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials are encouraging travelers to plan accordingly and to consider using the Otay Mesa port of entry to avoid delays. The project is set to be completed by Jan. 30. –L.B.